Hydraulic Institute launches new pump test approval programme
The Hydraulic Institute (HI), a US pump manufacturers’ association, has launched a new pump test laboratory approval (PTLA) programme.
HI member company Hydro becomes the first organisation to have their pump test laboratory approved through the new programme.
The programme assists pump OEMs and other pump test laboratories improve their current laboratory procedures and policies by working with an experienced third-party auditor to develop and maintain accurate, uniform, and repeatable pump testing protocols.
It also helps participating organisations adhere to the requirements of the international test laboratory accreditation standard (ISO 17025) concerning test measurement equipment.
The PTLA programme has been designed around the new HI ‘Program Guide for Pump Test Laboratory Approval’ (HI 40.7–2015), which summarises the programme’s key elements.
“HI members from many pump OEMs assisted in the development of the 40.7 guideline,” says Mark Heiser, test and validation lab manager for Xylem Applied Water Systems and co-chair of the HI 40.7 committee.
Any qualified domestic or global corporation, research institution, or laboratory can participate in the HI PTLA programme.
Facilities must have in-house capabilities to conduct pump performance tests to HI’s Methods for Rotodynamic Pump Efficiency Testing (HI 40.6–2014) standard, personnel that understand HI standards and pump testing techniques, and quality systems that ensure continued best practices after the audit.
As part of the programme, qualified laboratories agree to periodic audits of their facilities, records, equipment, and personnel to determine compliance with the HI 40.7 programme guide and HI 40.6 standard.
In addition, the programme promotes an increased level of assurances to pump end-users as well as energy advocates and electric power utilities, which are working with HI to develop an energy rating label to accelerate the adoption of premium efficiency pump systems.
‘Having more efficient pumps and pump systems is of great importance in reducing the overall consumption of energy in [the US],’ Heiser says.
